The proposed rule amendment is to reduce conflict among recreational anglers and commercial haul seine operations. The amendment proposes to increase the area in which commercial fishers may use a haul seine by 5,100 acres, clarify current rule ...

 

FISH AND WILDLIFE CONSERVATION COMMISSION

Freshwater Fish and Wildlife

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

68A-23.012Special Regulations on Lake Okeechobee

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The proposed rule amendment is to reduce conflict among recreational anglers and commercial haul seine operations. The amendment proposes to increase the area in which commercial fishers may use a haul seine by 5,100 acres, clarify current rule language, update the current rule language to utilize new technologies, and allow haul seiners to set their nets at midnight. The boundaries for commercial fishers will be set as Global Positioning System coordinates in the associated permit. The proposed amendment will reduce conflict among user groups, enhance law enforcement of the haul seine program and continue to provide effective protection of both commercial and sport fisheries and the lake ecosystem.

SUBJECT AREA TO BE ADDRESSED: Subject areas addressed in the rule development notice include commercial fishing on Lake Okeechobee.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: Art. IV, Sec. 9, Florida Constitution.

IF REQUESTED IN WRITING AND NOT DEEMED UNNECESSARY BY THE AGENCY HEAD, A RULE DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP WILL BE NOTICED IN THE NEXT AVAILABLE FLORIDA ADMINISTRATIVE REGISTER.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 5 days before the workshop/meeting by contacting: The ADA Coordinator at [phone]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT AND A COPY OF THE PRELIMINARY DRAFT IS: Mr. Tom Champeau, Director, Division of Freshwater Fisheries Management, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, 2590 Executive Center Circle E, Suite 201, Tallahassee, Florida 32301, [phone]

THE PRELIMINARY TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT IS AVAILABLE AT NO CHARGE FROM THE CONTACT PERSON LISTED ABOVE.